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Walks through History
Downtown Malvern
Begin at the Hot Spring County Courthouse, 210 Locust Street
July 18, 2015
By Rachel Silva
Intro
Good morning, my name is Rachel Silva, and I work for the Arkansas Historic
Preservation Program. Welcome to the “Walks through History” tour of
Downtown Malvern. I’d like to thank our co-sponsors—the Hot Spring County
Historical Society, Hot Spring County Museum, and Malvern Downtown
Development Corporation—as well as Noreen Houpt, Gerald Williams, and Hunter
Windle for their help with the tour. The tour will conclude at the Hot Spring
County Historical Society’s Heritage House, 118 W. Second Street, for
refreshments.
This tour is worth two hours of HSW continuing education credit through the
American Institute of Architects. Please see me after the tour if you’re interested.
Our tour will include four buildings individually listed in the National Register of
Historic Places—the Hot Spring County Courthouse, Hot Springs Railroad
Roundhouse, Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot, and Bank of Malvern. The tour will
also include two proposed National Register historic districts—the Malvern
Commercial Historic District, which includes parts of the 100-400 blocks of Main
Street, and the Lawyer’s Row Historic District, which includes buildings in the 100
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block of W. Second Street. Both of these districts will be nominated to the
National Register if approved at our August 5 State Review Board meeting.
Brief History of Malvern
Hot Spring County was created by Arkansas’s Territorial Legislature in 1829 from
part of Clark County. The county, which originally included the present-day City of
Hot Springs, was named for the abundance of natural hot springs within its
boundaries. Hot Springs became the first county seat. In 1846 the county seat was
moved to Rockport because of its location near the Ouachita River and Military
Road, the two primary means of transportation through the area at that time.
Residents of the western portion of the county (around Hot Springs) grew tired of
making the day-long journey to the county seat at Rockport, so in 1873 they
successfully petitioned the legislature to form Garland County from parts of Hot
Spring, Montgomery, and Saline counties. Hot Springs then became the county
seat of Garland County. Interestingly, this new arrangement left Hot Spring
County with only one natural hot spring, located near Magnet Cove.
In 1873 the Cairo & Fulton Railroad came through present-day Malvern.
According to local history, the town of Malvern was named by a railroad official
who said the area reminded him of Malvern Hill on the north bank of the James
River in Virginia. Malvern incorporated as a city in 1876. People were drawn to
the railroad, and in 1878 Malvern replaced Rockport as the Hot Spring County
seat. A two-story, Romanesque Revival-style courthouse was built in 1888 on the
site of the present courthouse. Malvern prospered because of the railroad, its
position as county seat, and the area’s plentiful natural resources. The county’s
economy was dominated by agriculture, timber, and brick-making. Acme Brick
Company still operates a plant in the self-proclaimed “Brick Capital of the World.”
Individual Resources
Hot Spring County Courthouse (National Register-listed 11/7/1996)—
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According to the 1886 Sanborn map, a small, wood-frame building near the
southwest corner of 2nd and Locust streets housed the courtroom before a more
substantial structure could be built. In 1888 a two-story, Romanesque Revivalstyle courthouse was built on the present courthouse site at the cost of $16,150.
A two-story, brick jail was constructed in 1892 at the northeast corner of 2nd and
Olive (north of the courthouse). The 1888 courthouse was demolished in the mid1930s to make way for the present Art Deco-style building, which was completed
in 1936. The county jail got a new home in the top floor of the 1936 courthouse,
so the old jail was used for county offices until at least 1947. The 1936 courthouse
was designed by the Little Rock architectural firm of Thompson, Sanders &
Ginocchio in the Art Deco style and features cast-stone detailing with a variety of
geometric shapes, brick pilasters, and decorative ironwork on the front doors and
transom.
Point to southeast corner 3rd & Locust
Malvern City Hall—
Malvern City Hall was built about 1937 to replace the 1890s City Hall building,
which was on the west side of the 100 block of Main Street. The 1937 City Hall
featured minimal Art Deco-style characteristics in its front central bay. The
building was constructed with help from the Works Progress Administration
(WPA), which put unemployed men and women to work on public projects during
the Great Depression. The building initially housed the city hall, fire department,
and street department. The water office later occupied the 1-story portion on 3rd
Street. The building has been altered with the installation of a gabled roof. The
Magnolia tree at the corner is from the old Kilpatrick homestead on that site
before construction of the City Hall.
North on Locust
200 W. 2nd (now True Believers Worship)—
Built ca. 1945 and housed an International Harvester dealership, followed by
Wilson Buick.
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Yellow tile brick building—
Built ca. 1935 and housed a building materials business. A blacksmith shop was
located in a previous building on this site.
Stucco building—
Built ca. 1935 as a wholesale grocery.
Red brick building with ghost sign on north side—
Built ca. 1915 and was a machinery warehouse before becoming Phelps
Wholesale Grocery. The ghost sign on the north side of the building reads, “N. J.
Adams Blacksmithing, Shoeing & Woodwork.”
From a spot on the hill, point across the railroad tracks to the old roundhouse
Railroads—
The Cairo & Fulton Railroad came through Malvern in 1873 and soon became part
of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad. This line runs northeast to
southwest through Malvern, connecting it to Benton on the north and
Arkadelphia on the south. In 1917 the Iron Mountain line became Missouri Pacific,
which in 1982 became Union Pacific.
The Hot Springs Railroad connected to the Iron Mountain line at Malvern and ran
northwest to Hot Springs. This railroad was built in 1875 by Joseph “Diamond Jo”
Reynolds, founder of the lucrative Diamond Jo Steamboat Line on the Mississippi
River. Diamond Jo suffered from rheumatism and made frequent trips to Hot
Springs, seeking relief in the city’s medicinal waters. However, the overland trip
from Malvern to Hot Springs by stagecoach was quite uncomfortable, so Diamond
Jo decided to build a narrow-gauge railroad to provide easier access. The Hot
Springs Railroad converted to standard gauge in 1889 and was acquired in 1901
by the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad, which later became the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific.
Hot Springs Railroad Roundhouse (NR-listed 5/29/2003)—
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Built in 1887, the Hot Springs Railroad Roundhouse is one of the last railroad
roundhouses in Arkansas. The 5-stall, brick roundhouse served as the principal
locomotive shop for the Hot Springs Railroad. A turntable on the north side of the
building placed locomotives in different stalls, where they could be serviced and
repaired. This facility operated until about 1902, when the Choctaw line built a
more direct route from Little Rock to Hot Springs, bypassing Malvern. All railroad
shop positons were then transferred to Hot Springs. By 1908 the roundhouse had
been converted into a warehouse for the Rockwell Manufacturing Company,
which made screen doors, window screens, and window frames. The building had
a variety of owners over the years, including the Arkansas Short Leaf Door
Company (doors, molding, and window frames), American Company of Arkansas
(grocery warehouse), Clem Mill & Gin Company (wholesale feed & flour), and
Clem Wholesale Grocery Company.
Point to southwest corner Locust & First Street—
This was the site of the Plunkett-Jarrell Grocer Company, followed by Clem Grocer
Company, and later, Stewart Wholesale (sold groceries, fabric, etc.).
W. First Street, going east
3 blue buildings in a row—
The two on the west side (right) were built ca. 1915. The far right-hand building
was a wholesale grocery company before becoming Malvern Lumber Company
and later, Malvern Material Company (sold cement, lime, and building materials).
The next building was an Anheuser-Busch Warehouse (1920), followed by a
rooming house and later, a wholesale stove store. The building on the far eastern
side (left) was built ca. 1940 and was part of the stove store. All three of these
buildings later housed Delbert Weatherington’s Feed Store. He was also a John
Deere dealer.
Vacant lot at the southwest corner of W. First & Main—
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This is the site of a 2-story building, built ca. 1896, that housed the Arlington
Hotel, followed by the Traveler’s Hotel, Hotel Harris, and in the mid-20th century,
the Malvern Boys Club.
Point up Main Street—
Malvern City Hall (also housed the city jail) was built ca. 1896 and stood just north
of the alley (near the concrete block wall). This building was demolished
sometime after the new City Hall was completed in the late 1930s.
Viaduct—
Construction on the Main Street viaduct began in 1955, and the structure
officially opened for traffic in 1957. The viaduct was built after John Ronald
Hardwick, the only son of a local furniture merchant, was killed in 1955 after the
vehicle he was riding in was struck by a train. Hardwick was 17 years old. About
1974 Main Street and the viaduct were widened to four-lane.
Point to old Malvern Waterworks on north side of tracks, built after 1947. The
smaller brick building was part of the older waterworks complex, dating to the
mid-1920s.
Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot (NR-listed 6/11/1992)—
The Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot was built about 1917, shortly after the Iron
Mountain Railroad became part of the Missouri Pacific line. This depot replaced
an earlier passenger depot, which was located just north of the Iron Mountain’s
main track (out in the middle of the tracks). The depot was designed in the
Mediterranean style with widely overhanging eaves supported by decorative
brackets and (originally) a tile roof, which has since been replaced. The open
porch on the depot’s west end has been partially enclosed to provide a shelter for
Amtrak passengers. This is a functioning Union Pacific office and Amtrak station.
Tile floor on E. First Street—
This tile was inside the Barlow Hotel. Built about 1896, the 2-story, brick hotel was
first called Orr’s Commercial Hotel. In 1928 the hotel was purchased by John D.
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Barlow of Hope, Arkansas, who hired the Little Rock architectural firm of
Thompson, Sanders & Ginocchio to remodel the building. The name of the hotel
then changed to the Barlow Hotel, managed by Richard “Dick” Barlow. The Barlow
Hotel catered to traveling salesmen and was the center of social activity in
Malvern for many years. In the 1950s and 60s, the hotel was also a bus depot.
Southeast corner E. First & Main—
Site of the ca. 1896 White Elephant Saloon, which later became Six-O-One Taxi,
followed by the Taxi Café.
South on Main Street
East side of Main by the viaduct—
One-story commercial buildings were located here beginning in the late 19 th
century. Some businesses located between here and the alley were the Railroad
Café, City Café, Downtown Club, and Pete Harris’s Pool & Snooker Parlor.
123 S. Main—
Built in 1926 with a newer façade, which was added in the 1970s when Main
Street was widened to 4-lane. This was Ramsey Motors and later became Keesee
Moving & Storage and Pete’s Downtown Club.
White concrete block building—
This was Peoples Barber Shop, followed by Ross Jewelry. After the jewelry store
was robbed, the proprietor installed a structure similar to a jail cell just inside the
front door. He also carried a pistol for protection.
133 S. Main (Malvern Florist)—
This building housed the Swafford-Tate Motor Company, followed by the Malvern
Daily Record and now, Malvern Florist.
Parking lot—
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Commercial buildings occupied this site beginning in the 1880s. A 2-story building
near the corner of Main & Second housed the Tailor Shop on the first floor and a
lodge hall upstairs for the Woodmen of the World Lodge No. 14. The 1-story
building right at the corner was designed in 1913 by architect Charles Thompson
to house the Farmers & Merchants Bank (this building later housed Doyce
Pulliam’s Tire Service).
Main Street—Devastating fires in 1896 and 1897 destroyed most of the woodframe buildings on Main Street. They were rebuilt with bricks from local factories.
Main Street was paved between 1924 and 1928. Prior to that time, the street was
dirt. On June 10, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor
Roosevelt visited Malvern as part of the centennial celebration of Arkansas
statehood. Riding in an open-topped Packard, the couple led a parade down Main
Street.
West side of Main, going south
100 block, west side:
132 Main—
Built ca. 1900 with stucco added later. In 1904 this was a restaurant and meat
market. In the early-to-mid-20th century, it was Builders Lumber & Supply
Company.
Vacant lot—
Site of Stewart’s Grocery & Market, followed by Lindvall Wholesale, run by Coy
and Florence Lindvall and later, Annaboyd and Hayles Lindvall.
138 Main—
Built ca. 1910 and housed the Malvern Hotel, followed by J. Elmo Young’s
Insurance, Davenport’s Insurance & Abstract, and now Edward Jones. KBOK used
to have a radio station in this building, and many professional offices were
located here, including the office of Senator John McClellan.
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200 block, west side:
202 Main (now Guapo’s)—
Built ca. 1897 with 1920s brick façade. This was a racket store (or bargain store)
and later, an early location of Rephan’s “Re-pan’s” Department Store. In more
recent memory, it was Sherwin Williams and later, D & R Carpet (which has a
ghost sign on the building’s north side).
208 Main (now Country Garden Florist)—
Built ca. 1897 with 1920s brick façade. This building has a cast-iron threshold and
drains stamped, “Wing & Stephens Co., Little Rock, Ark.” and “D. R. Wing & Co.,
Little Rock.” Although it is almost totally obscured by the new storefront, the
threshold plate is stamped with the name “Cooper.” This building housed a
grocery store for many years, including Denny’s Grocery & Market, O. R. Lawrence
Grocery, Tripp’s Grocery, and Gray Brothers Grocery. It was later Lindvall’s
Flowers & Gifts, Montgomery Ward, and American Jean.
210 Main (orange Carrera glass)—
Built ca. 1897 with newer façade. This was J. E. Chamberlain’s Rexall Drug and
later, Sullivan’s Drug. “Chamberlain” is in the tile at the front door.
Bank of Malvern (NR-listed 3/13/1987; 212 Main; now Graham Law Firm)—
Built in 1889 and partially reconstructed after the 1896 fire. The lower level is
made of rough-cut granite, and the front entrance is crowned by an arch
supported by squat columns with cushion capitals. The word “Bank” is written in a
cast-stone panel above the arch. The Bank of Malvern was the oldest statechartered bank west of the Mississippi River. This is a good example of a
commercial building with Romanesque Revival-style elements. This building was
later home to First Federal Savings & Loan and Paul’s Record Shop.
214-216 Main (northern two storefronts with black Carrera glass)—
Built ca. 1897 with newer façade. These storefronts housed Cooper Furniture &
Hardware, followed by Caldwell Furniture & Hardware in the early 20 th century.
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This was later a Walgreen’s. By the mid-1950s, Caldwell Furniture & Appliance
occupied the entire part of the block with black Carrera glass on the storefront.
After 1960, the building at 214-216 Main was another location of Rephan’s
Department Store.
218 Main (3rd storefront in this row)—
Built ca. 1897 with newer façade. This was Cooper Hardware, followed by James
Jones’s Grocery. By the mid-50s, this was part of Caldwell Furniture & Appliance.
220 Main (4th storefront in this row)—
Built ca. 1900 with newer façade. This was Phelps Cash Grocery and later,
Haltom’s Furniture?? By the 50s, it was part of Caldwell Furniture & Appliance.
224 Main—
Built ca. 1900 with newer brick façade. This was the ‘M’ System Grocery, followed
by Faulkner’s Department Store, and later, Blue Ribbon Shoe Store.
226 Main (Murry Building)—
Built ca. 1897 and features a stamped metal nameplate reading “Murry” and
metal caps on either side of the parapet. This was Murry Drug. Patty Murry
Richardson had a jewelry and gift shop inside the drug store. By the late 1970s, it
was Allen’s Sewing Center, which sold sewing machines and fabric. It was later
Brown’s Furniture.
228 Main (blue)—
Built ca. 1897 and features a raised central parapet, recessed brick panels, and
brick corbelling at the cornice. This was R. L. Connell Grocery, followed by the
Bon-Ette Beauty Shop and Bon-Ette Children’s Store & Ladies Dress Shop.
230 Main (bakery)—
Built in 1897 by Col. E. H. Vance, Jr., an early postmaster in Malvern. This building
housed Brassler’s Jeweler, followed by McLean’s “McClain’s” 10-cent Store, B&C
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Shoe Store, OTASCO (before it moved to the 300 block), The Fashion (and The
Fashion Attic, which sold teen clothing), and Trio’s Gift Shop.
300 block, west side:
302 Main (Panache)—
Built ca. 1904 and features cast-stone details on the upper façade. The remainder
of this block was demolished in 2006 to make way for the Walgreen’s. 302 Main
was home to the Duke Knight Department Store, followed by E. B. Branch’s
Department Store and later, The Leader Store (clothing). In more recent memory,
it was KBOK radio.
This block was full of one-story commercial buildings. From north to south, the
businesses in this block were:
A. J. Kight’s Grocery, later Samon’s Department Store
Peter’s Shoes, later Lisenby’s Jeweler
Roseberry’s Confectioners, later the Times Journal, followed by the Meteor
Journal and Malvern Daily Record
Cole-Fuller Drug
Abbott & Gandy Menswear, run by J. D. Gandy
Tot & Teen Clothing Shop, run by Otha Goza
Brooks-Rhodes Dry Goods, later West Brothers Department Store
Hodges & Company Grocery, run by Holcomb Hodges, later Western Auto, run by
Fred Spence, Sr., and his sons, Fred, Jr., and Carl
Marshall Motor Company, later Oklahoma Tire & Supply Company (OTASCO)
Northwest corner Main & Page/Hwy. 67—
Before the block was completely full of commercial buildings, an Air Dome
theater was located at this corner. It was built about 1910 by Henry McDonald,
then-president of First National Bank, which was caddy-corner to the site. Air
Dome theaters were enclosed by a high board fence. Patrons sat on wooden
benches to watch silent movies accompanied by piano.
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Point west down W. Page/Hwy. 67—
U. S. Highway 67 was paved through Hot Spring County by the 1940s and brought
thousands of people through downtown Malvern each year. Tourist courts,
motels, restaurants, and service stations were built along the highway, catering to
motorists. However, the construction of Interstate 30 in the 1960s rerouted most
traffic to the west of downtown.
The current revenue office was built on the site of Sanford McMillan’s house,
auto garage, and Gulf service station. The small, red brick building west of the
revenue office was Banks Esso station. The white building just past that was the
Double Deck Café, later the Baker & Son Café (by the 1950s).
Point to east on Page/Hwy. 67—
The First United Methodist Church was built in 1976 to replace an earlier building
(dating from 1910?) on the site. The current chapel/annex building was originally
constructed in 1934 as the Malvern Post Office. The Methodist Church purchased
the post office in the late 1960s or early 70s and incorporated it into their new
church.
The red brick building on the north side of Page across from the Methodist Church
was the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company’s telephone exchange and office.
400 block, west side:
Vacant lot at southwest corner Main & Page—
Site of a two-story building at the corner and three one-story buildings just south
of that. These were the oldest buildings on the west side of the 400 block, dating
to ca. 1915. The remainder of the block was constructed in the 1920s.
The two-story building at the corner housed the Keith Hotel with Ward
Drug on the first floor. Ward Drug had a drive-up window with curb service
on its northern elevation (Hwy. 67 side) in the 1940s. In the 1950s and 60s,
Allen’s Sewing Center was in this building.
Occupants of the one-story buildings included: Malvern Newsstand, The
Recreation Center (Tom Kemp), Malvern Appliance, Kenwin’s Clothing, and
Wingo Plumbing.
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412 Main (Harper Building, 1927)—
This was W. P. Harper’s Grocery. His daughter, Ruthalene Harper Burrow, later
opened a Tot & Teen Clothing Store here.
418 Main (Richardson Building, 1927)—
I think this building housed B. B. Rowe Grocery and later, Kroger. It was also Joe
Harbuck’s parts store. The dental offices of Dr. W. S. Richardson were upstairs.
This building later housed Scottie’s Menswear, run by Herbert Scott.
422 Main (Two Sisters)—
This was A. A. Billings Jewelry, which was later bought by Knauts “Ka-nots”
Jewelry. It was then Thornton’s Office Machines.
424 Main—
Liberty Theater, later the Joy Theater
426 Main—
Fisher & Hollingshead Furniture, run by Horace Fisher and his brother-in-law,
Brian Hollingshead.
430 Main (Bennett’s Flooring)—
Collie Chevrolet, run by Bill Collie, and later, Finley Chevrolet and Padgett
Chevrolet. In the 1960s, it was United Dollar Store, followed by Hardwick Bros.
Furniture Annex.
Cross to west side of Main at Pine Bluff/5th Street stoplight
500 block, west side:
502 Main (Brown’s Furniture & Appliance)—
Five homes occupied this side of the block until at least 1920. Sometime in the
1920s, the home at the corner was torn down to make way for H. A. Kight’s
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Service Station. Four homes and the filling station remained here until at least
1947.
The current building housed The New Fashion, Misses & Juniors Clothing,
followed by Art-Craft Furniture.
Food Center parking lot—
Jack’s Lion Station, later called Cecil’s Lion Station, was located in the current
Food Center parking lot.
Food Center—
The Banks family opened Food Center in 1949 in a building behind the current
location. The current Food Center building was constructed in 1955 and was
Malvern’s first supermarket-style grocery store. It also had the first automatic
doors in Malvern. The building has been enlarged over the years.
East side of Main, going north
500 block, east side:
First Baptist Church—
Built in 1953 to replace the 1912 sanctuary near this site. The bell from the
church’s 1889 building was saved and is displayed in front of the church.
Historically, the parsonage, which later became a Sunday School building, was
located north of the church (in the current parking lot).
Malvern National Bank—
There were still some private residences on this block as late as 1947. They were
located on either side of the previous Baptist church building. Commercial
buildings were constructed on the north end of this block beginning about 1940.
From south to north, they housed:
Dr. Noah B. Kersh’s office, later Polly Ann Bakery
Sears Roebuck & Co. Order Center, later the Billiard Parlor and South Main Billiard
Club
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Kroger, later Main Dollar Store
These buildings were demolished to make way for the new Malvern National
Bank, which was built in 1987 and designed by Griffin & Associates, Architects, of
Little Rock.
400 block, east side:
425 Main (Malvern National Bank offices)—
Half of this block is new construction. It is all counted as 425 Main. I will tell you
some businesses that were here historically.
At the northeast corner of Main & Pine Bluff, there was an Esso service station,
run by Orval and Helen Murry. It later became an Exxon station.
City Laundry & Cleaners
Smith Funeral Home
Richard “Dick” Clardy’s Grocery & Restaurant, with Dean’s Beauty Shop upstairs
(Naomi Dean & Grace Carpenter), later H & H Snack Bar (run by Opal Reynolds)
and A-1 Service Barber Shop.
Hester Ann Florist
Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company, later Clevenger’s Rexall Drug
421 Main (Lisenby’s)—
Shryock’s “Sha-rock’s” Jewelers, later Lisenby’s Jewelers.
417-419 Main—
Scott Cleaners, run by Raymond Scott, and later, Dr. Mosely’s optometry
415 Main (now part of Hardwick Furniture)—
May have been Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company office at some point. Later the
Shoe Center.
411 Main (Hardwick Building)—
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This building looks identical to the Nunn Buildings, which we’ll see in a few
minutes. I think this is one of them, but the Hardwick name was added after it
became Hardwick Bros. Furniture Company.
This building was constructed in the 1920s and housed the Arkansas Light &
Power Company (before it became Arkansas Power & Light) in the southern
storefront (right) and Stevens-Scott Tailor Shop in the northern storefront (left). It
later became Hardwick Bros. Furniture, followed by Orr’s Furniture.
Historic building with white façade—
City Grocery and later, Johnson’s Family Shoe Store.
Red brick section of 403 Main (built 1956 as MNB)—
This was the site of the Bright Spot Café, a popular gathering place from the 1930s
to 1950s. The café was demolished about 1956, along with the Charles
Thompson-designed First National Bank building on the corner.
403 Main (MNB)—
First National Bank became Malvern National Bank in 1934. MNB occupied the
historic bank building at this corner until 1956 when the current building was
completed. The 1956 building was designed by the Little Rock architectural firm of
Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson. MNB still owns this building, but its main bank
has moved to the 500 block of Main Street.
300 block, east side:
Northeast corner Main & Page—
Site of the 2-story Elite Café and Butler’s Townhouse, later the Western Auto
Furniture Annex.
327 Main (pink)—
Site of John and Will Lindvall’s Livery. The current building was constructed about
1910. Scott’s 5 & 10, followed by Lindvall’s Department Store, run by Nick
Lindvall. His wife operated the Orchid Beauty Shop inside as well.
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321 Main (Nunn Building, 1925)—
Designed by architect Charles Thompson in 1925 for T. E. Nunn. There are three
identical Nunn buildings on Main Street (one of them now has the Hardwick name
on it). This was Ben Franklin 5 & 10 and later, Brown’s B & C Shoe Store.
Leiper Building, 1923—
J. C. Penney and later, The Floor Store, which sold flooring and paint.
315 Main (Julie’s)—
Built ca. 1900 and has newer brick façade. It originally had 6 windows in the
second story. It housed Malvern Hardware and later, the Sterling Store (5 & 10).
311 Main—
White Way Barber Shop (Harold Owenton, barber).
301-303 Main (Game Room Trading Post)—
This is a new building, but historic buildings on this site housed Jones Grocery &
Market and Teague Shoe Repair (before Teague moved to 5th Street location). The
new building was constructed to house Coleman’s Ladies’ Wear (high-end dress
shop). This was the temporary home of the Hot Spring County Library after its
building burned in 1998.
200 block, east side:
231 Main (Miller’s Drug)—
Miller Drug was founded in 1890 by Lee Miller and is Malvern’s oldest pharmacy.
It is also the oldest continuously operating business in Malvern and the oldest
family-owned business in Malvern. It is currently run by fifth and sixth generation
descendants of the founder. This building was constructed ca. 1905 and featured
stone belt-courses and arched second story windows. The Rockport Masonic
Lodge No. 58 met upstairs in the lodge hall, as did the Order of the Eastern Star
and Rainbow Girls.
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227 Main (Golden Insurance)—
Built ca. 1900 and features interesting brickwork used to make fluted pilasters on
either side of the storefront. This was a grocery and meat market and later, a
millinery (women’s hats).
225 Main (H&R Block)—
Built ca. 1900 with newer brick façade. This building had two storefronts and
housed States Drug Store and City Barber Shop.
223 Main (Sawyer Ad)—
Built ca. 1900 with newer brick façade. This was Means’ Café.
221 Main (Nunn Building, 1926)—
Designed by Charles Thompson; one of three identical Nunn buildings in Malvern.
The building had two storefronts. The one on the south (right) housed Collier’s of
Malvern Clothing Store and later, The Fashion. The north (left) storefront housed
Doc Hardin’s Jewelers and later, The Malvern Daily Record. At some point, the
Nunn Building also housed Sheik’s Department Store.
217 Main—
Built ca. 1910. Housed the Friendly Store, and later, Dickinson’s Department
Store. For one year in the 1960s, they had slot car racing here. In more recent
memory, it was the Malvern Gas Company.
213 Main (Ritz Theater)—
Mrs. Ray Morrow opened the Ritz Theater in 1938. The theater was designed by
the Little Rock architectural firm of Brueggeman, Swaim & Allen. In February
1948, the theater burned. It was rebuilt using almost the same design and opened
just eight months later. The theater was remodeled in 1982 and 2004 and closed
in 2008. Marty and Marla Nix reopened the theater in 2009, and it remains a
functioning movie theater.
Southeast corner Main & Second—
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Two one-story buildings and a 2-story building finished out this block. They were
demolished to make way for the Southern Bancorp parking lot. The one-story
buildings were doctor’s offices (Drs. William G. Hodges, Claude F. Peters, and J. W.
Cole) as well as an early location of the E. E. Blakely Drug Store, which later
moved into the 2-story building, and Don Hicks Photography. In 1930 the 2-story
building was the post office, but most people remember it as Blakely Drug.
West on W. Second Street
106 W. 2nd (back of Edward Jones building)—
William C. Gillam’s law office. He was later a judge. The Hot Spring County
Historical Society was formed in 1968 in that office.
Proposed Lawyer’s Row Historic District—
This row of buildings was constructed between 1910 and 1922. The two oldest
buildings are at 118 and 132 W. Second, both built about 1910 (buildings on
either end). This block was home to attorneys’ offices for more than nine
decades. Although some other professional offices and businesses were here as
well, the block was prime real estate for the town’s best attorneys, who could
easily walk to the courthouse.
Interestingly, 118 W. Second, now the home of the Hot Spring County Historical
Society, was built to serve as Cooper Funeral Home, run by Felix and Helen
Cooper.
The OK Barber Shop was in the middle of the block (just west of Kizzia Law Firm).
David D. Glover’s office was at 132 W. Second. He served in the Arkansas
Legislature from 1909 to 1911 and chaired the Capitol Commission, which
oversaw completion of the Arkansas State Capitol. He was later elected to the
U.S. Congress, serving from 1929 to 1935. His son, William Glover, also practiced
here for many years.
Refreshments at Hot Spring County Historical Society, 118 W. Second.